Fat Joe has called out Billboard and VIBE for leaving Big L off their Top 50 greatest rappers of all time list.
Joey Crack broke down the list in an Instagram Live session earlier this week when he wondered how his Diggin’ in the Crates brethren didn’t make the cut, while other rappers without any hits in their discography were selected.
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“Because some of these guys on here don’t got no hits,” he stated. “I know they could rap, I know they could spit, but some of these guys on here don’t got no hits.
“So how do you judge who’s on the Top 50 rappers? Because there’s some guys here that never had a hit. So what are we basing it on, lyrics? So why isn’t Big L on there? This is the problem when you try to make this list. The only point I’m trying to make to you is this is not law.”
Big L, who emerged out of Harlem as a lyrical savant, only released two studio albums. His acclaimed 1995 debut Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous was the only solo project he put out while he was alive, peaking at No. 149 on the Billboard 200 with help from lead single “Put It On.”
His posthumous sophomore album, The Big Picture, arrived in 2000 via Rawkus Records and was certified gold later that year. It features the singles “Ebonics,” “Holdin’ it Down” and “Flamboyant.”
The Harlem rapper — who was also a member of Children of the Corn with Ma$e, Cam’ron, Herb McGruff and Bloodshed — was tragically murdered in his hometown in May 1999 after succumbing to injuries sustained from nine gun shots.
Other artists such as Ja Rule, Ice Cube and Fredro Starr have voiced their displeasure with Billboard and VIBE‘s greatest rappers list, which gave JAY-Z the top spot.
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“I don’t fuck with Billboard or the editor,” Cube told TMZ earlier this month. “Billboard ain’t Hip Hop so their opinion don’t matter. So who gives a fuck?”
Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Lil Wayne and The Notorious B.I.G. were ranked No. 10 to No. 6, in that order, while Eminem, 2Pac, Nas and Kendrick Lamar occupied the No. 5 to No. 2 slots.
